Arrangement for clamping an aerial cableway cabin to the haulage rope and for checking the hold

ABSTRACT

An elbow lever operated by a wheel pulls the spaced grips together, a compression spring in the tensioning arrangement incorporating this lever exerting a force to push the grips apart once the jaws of the grips seize the haulage rope. If the jaws seize too weakly, enabling the spring to push the grips apart, the wheel is moved to a position in which it operates a feeler positioned along the path of the ropeway to release an alarm and to stop the ropeway.

United States Patent lnventor Fritz Feuz Bern, Switzerland Appl. No. 839,608 Filed July 7, 1969 Patented Oct. 5, 1971 Assignee Von Roll AG. Werk Bern Bern, Switzerland Priority July 8, 1968 Switzerland 10157/68 ARRANGEMENT FOR CLAMPING AN AERIAL CABLEWAY CABIN TO THE HAULAGE ROPE AND FOR CHECKING THE HOLD 6 Claims, 5 Drawing Figs.

US. Cl 1041204, 104/211,104/216 Int. Cl B6lb 7/20 Field of Search 104/202,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 913,775 3/ 1909 Seymour 104/209 3,394,661 7/1968 Muller 104/202 3,416,462 12/ 1 968 Pomagalski 104/202 Primary Examiner-Arthur L. La Point Assistant Examiner-Robert Saifer Attorney-Werner W. Kleeman ABSTRACT: An elbow lever operated by a wheel pulls the" spaced grips together, a compression spring in the tensioning arrangement incorporating this lever exerting a force to push the grips apart once the jaws of the grips seize the haulage rope. if the jaws seize too weakly, enabling the spring to push the grips apart, the wheel is moved to a position in which it operates a feeler positioned along the path of the ropeway to release an alarm and to stop the ropeway. v

PATENTEU um 19?! SHEET 2 [1F 3 llll I! ARRANGEMENT FOR CLAMPING AN AERIAL CABLEWAY CABIN TO THE I-IAULAGE ROPE AND FOR CHECKING TI'IE HOLD BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION I. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an arrangement, having at least two grips, for clamping a transport device to a haulage rope of an aerial ropeway and for indicating an insufficient hold on the rope.

2. Description of the Prior Art The prior art contains examples of devices for indicating when the carrier is poorly clamped to the haulage rope. In these known devices a haulage chain has bosses or stops that test the'hold of the jaws, immediately after they have taken grip, by exerting a determined opposing force on the gripping arrangement. If the jaws slip under test an alarm is released, causing the installation to be shut down before the carrier in question reaches the leg of the path. This device requires a haulage chain and a relatively large drive and braking arrangement for the chain.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide an arrangement which satisfactorily checks the grip of the jaws, but does not require a bulky haulage chain with its drive and braking arrangement.

A further object of the invention is to provide an arrangement of the previous object which enables the use of simple means to check the jaws at various positions along the path of the ropeway.

These and other objects will be apparent from the following detailed description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The invention will be described, with reference to the FIGURES of the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. I is a top view, partly cut away, of the invention for a passenger cabin;

FIG. 2 is a view in cross section taken along line II-ll of FIG. 1;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are views in cross section respectively taken along lines Ill-Ill and lVlV of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is a side view showing schematically three different phases a, b, and c in the operation of the invention.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a head, as seen from above, for clamping a passenger cabin (not shown) to the haulage rope I of an aerial ropeway. The cabin is located below the plane of FIG. 1. The head comprises two spaced and relatively movable grips 2 and 3. A suspension device 4, comprising a shaft 5, a tension arrangement 6, and an expanding spring 7, is arranged between the grips. These latter, as well as the suspension device 4, are held by a common guide bar 8, the grips 2 and 3 being movable along this bar. An end ring 9, rigidly fixed to the bar 8, limits the path through which the grip 2 can be shifted. Each of the grips 2 and 3 comprises a pair of clamping jaws l0 and ll, of which the jaw is rigidly connected to the housing 12 of the respective grip. The housings 12 are U-shaped in cross section. Each jaw 11 is pivotal about a respective shaft 13, which a pin 14 secures to the jaw 10. The inner end of the shaft 13 of each grip 2 and 3 projects beyond the respective jaw 10 and into a guide sleeve 15 connected to the suspension device housing 16. This arrangement together with the guide bar 8, prevents relative rotation between the grips 2 and 3 and the suspension device 4. The guide sleeve 15 and the housing 16 of the suspension device together form a stop limiting the movement of the grips 2 and 3 towards each other. Each side of the housing 16 has an opening 17 through which projects a bolt 18 for guiding the expanding spring 7. A sleeve 19 rigidly connects one end of the bolt with the jaw 10 of the grip 3, and

a sleeve 20 slidably connects the other end of the bolt to the jaw 10 of the grip 2. The expanding spring 7 presses apart the two grips with a force that corresponds to the testing force with which the clamping action is tested.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing the jaws closed. A respective mounting plate 21 rigidly connects each jaw 10 with the respective housing 12. An arm 22 of each jaw 11 and a pivotal rod 23 form an elbow lever, which has a joint pin 26. Two pins 24 and a guide sleeve 25 connect each rod 23 to the respective I housing 12 free to pivot and to move longitudinally. Near the joint of the elbow lever is arranged a roller 27 for releasing the clamping force that a compression spring 28 exerts on the elbow joint. This spring presses the rod 23 to the left, exerting a clockwise torque on the jaw l I and causing the rope I to be clamped between the jaws l0 and II. The clamping force increases as the rope is more and more squeezed together. The roller 27 can be mounted on the arm 22 or (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) on the rod 23.

In the open position of the jaws, the pivotal rod 23 is sufficiently, but not all of the way, forced to the dead center position so that the radial force acting on the roller 27 is less than the weight empty of the entire transport vehicle, and the jaws 2 and 3 are consequently held open. The clamping of the jaws is controlled by the roller 27, which when it is running on a rail 45 with a ramp (see FIG. 5) is raised to the position shown in dot-dash line in FIG. 2 and opens the jaws. When this rail does not support the roller, the force of the compression spring 28 swings the rod 23 downwards about the pins 24 to clamp the jaws about the rope I. So long as a roller 27 moves along the rail 45, the roller serves as a wheel supporting the weight of the vehicle. A balancing roller 29 is arranged on each mounting plate 21. The purpose of this roller is to provided a counter force when a rail 45 raises a roller 27.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the suspension device 4. The guide bar 8 and the ends of the shafts l3 connect the suspension device housing 16 with the grips 2 and 3. The passenger cabin 43 (see FIG. 5) is hung from the housing 16 by a rod 31 free to swing, a bearing 30, and the shaft 5. This arrangement permits the cabin to swing parallel to the direction of its progress. It is desirable that the cabin should swing when it is being accelerated or braked or while it is passing by each of the tentering limits of the rope along the way. The one end of the shaft 5 extends outwards and carries a stabilizing wheel 32. At each of the stop stations a stabilizing rail 33, shown in dotdash line in FIG. 3, is arranged parallel to the rope I. The rope I and the stabilizing rail 33, on the one hand, and the two jaws l0 and 11 and the stabilizing wheel 32, on the other, form a stable three-point contact that prevents the cabin from swinging crosswise to the direction of its progress.

Openings 34 in the sidewalls, and an opening 35 in the bottom, of the housing 16 are provided between the guide bar 8 and the guide sleeve 15 for the tension arrangement 6. The purpose of this latter is to draw together the two grips 2 and 3, and thus to tense the spring 7, before both of the jawsl0 and I1 clamp. The arrangement consists of an elbow lever com-. posed of two pairs of levers 36 and 37 that pivot on a pin 38 and of a wheel 39 mounted on this pin, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 4.

The outer ends of the levers 36 and 37 are pivotally connected to the respective grip 2 or 3 by an attachment 40 or 41. FIGS. 1, 3, and 4 illustrate the tension arrangement 6 in its tensed position. The wheel 39 is practically in its lowermost position, the levers 36 and 37 consequently drawing the grips 2 and 3 as close together as possible so that the spring 7 is squeezed to its maximum. Normally, the jaws l0 and Il clamped on the haulage rope I prevent the spring 7 from relaxing. If the jaws of the one or other grip 2 or 3 clamp the rope I too weakly, the force of the spring 7 will cause these jaws to slip along the rope and to push the grips 2 and 3 farther apart. The levers 36 and 37 are somewhat straightened out, and the wheel 39 projects farther above the housing 16. The end ring 9 ensures that the levers 36 and 37 do not completely straighten out and reach their dead point.

The operation of the invention is described with reference to FIG. 5. The haulage rope I of the passenger vehicle installation (greatly simplified in FIG. 5) moves continuously at an approximately constant speed from left to right. In position a of FIG. 5 the rollers 27 are in their uppermost position, since they are moving on the rail 45, the entire weight of the cabin 43 being supported by this rail through the rollers 27. The jaws l and ll (not visible in FIG. of the two grips 2 and 3 do not clamp the rope I, and the partly shown passenger cabin 43 remains stationary, even though the rope I is moving. If the cabin is to be pulled to the other stop station, a mechanism (not described) first of all sets the cabin in motion, the roller 27 of the grip 3 rolling along the rail 45 until it is free of the latter and can drop down, whereupon the jaws l0 and 11 of the grip 3 clamp onto the rope I. The vehicle moves towards a stationary tensioning rail 44 that is parallel to the rope I. This rail forces the wheel 39 downwards, drawing the grip 2 closer to the grip 3 and increasing the tension of the spring 7. Only now does the roller 27 of the grip 2 roll off the rail 45, permitting the jaws of this grip, as shown in position b of FIG. 5, to clamp the rope I as already do those of the grip 3.

Once the vehicle has reached the end of the tensioning rail 44, the hold of the jaws on the roe is additionally stressed by the force of the compressed spring 7. At the end of a test path of determined length a check feeler 42 is arranged at a definite spacing above the path of the wheel 39. If this wheel within the acceptable limit is still within the suspension device 4, as shown at position c of FIG. 5, this means that the jaws have a satisfactory hold of the rope, and the feeler 42 is not touched. The vehicle can continue on its way.

But if one of the pairs of jaws has a weak hold, the spring 7 forces apart the grips 2 and 3, causing the levers 36 and 37 and their wheel 39 to swing upwards while the vehicle traverses the test path. As the vehicle passes underneath the feeler 42 the latter is struck, setting off an alarm signal, which stops the entire installation before this particular vehicle has reached the first rope gradient.

The stabilizing rail 33 extends from the stop station to just beyond the position of the feeler 42, in order to ensure that the cabin 43 cannot swing sideways, that the wheel 39 properly rolls along the rail 44, and that this wheel passes underneath the feeler 42 at the desired position relative to the feeler.

At the arrival station it is only necessary to have the roller 27 run onto a rail with a ramp (not shown) to release the jaws l0 and 11 and to stop the vehicle.

For reasons of safety, each grip 2 and 3 is made sufficiently large, of course, so that the hold of a single grip is enough to prevent the cabin 43 from falling. With the invention it is simple to check the hold of the jaws at different points along the path, such as at the intermediate towers, by arranging additional feelers 42.

In accordance with the invention, means can be provided on the head itself for continuously checking the position of the wheel 39 and, if necessary, releasing an alarm signal that is conducted, for example, by a conductor, running alongside the rope I, to the head station having the drive for the rope.

Although the preferred embodiment of the invention has been described, the scope of,- and the breadth of protection afforded to, the invention are limited solely by the appended claims.

lclaim:

1. An arrangement for clamping a transport device to the haulage rope of an aerial ropeway movable between a number of stations and for indicating an insufficient hold on the rope, comprising at least two grips that are spaced along the direction of the rope and movable in a direction parallel thereto, and wherein the improvement comprises a tensioning arrangement for drawing said grips towards one another, resilient means tensed by said tensioning arrangement for exerting a force on said grips tending to push them apart, said tensioning arrangement incorporating a member movable between a first (position in which said grips are drawn towards each other an a second position In which said grips are spread apart, said tensioning arrangement additionally comprising an elbow lever connecting together said grips, said member being a wheel mounted at the elbow of said lever, further including a rail independent of the arrangement and the transport device that cooperates with said wheel at a station of the ropeway to move said wheel towards its first position, whereby said grips are drawn towards each other and said resilient means is tensed, and an alarm system for operation by said wheel when the latter is moved sufficiently towards its second position because divergent movement of at least one of said grips indicates that the hold thereof on the rope is too weak.

2. The arrangement as defined in claim I, wherein said alarm system includes a stationary feeler arranged along the path of the transport device and positioned to be moved when said wheel is moved sufficiently towards its second position.

3. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm system is mounted on the clamping arrangement and continuously monitors the position of said member.

4. The arrangement as defined in claim I, wherein each said grip includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw for clamping the rope, a pivotal rod provided for each said grip, an individual arm connecting each said movable jaw to a respective pivotal rod to form an elbow lever with said rod, and a respec tive roller for operating each said grip mounted on said am or on said pivotal arm.

5. The arrangement as defined in claim 4, including at each station of the aerial ropeway a rail over which said gripoperating rollers run and support the transport device.

6. An apparatus for clamping a transport device to the haulage rope of an aerial ropeway movable along a predetennined path of travel between a number of stations and for indicating an insufficient hold on the rope, comprising at least two grip mechanisms spaced along the direction of the rope and movable in a direction parallel thereto, a tensioning arrangement for drawing said grip mechanisms towards on another, resilient means tensed by said tensioning arrangement for continuously exerting a checking force on said grip mechanisms tending to push them apart during travel of the aerial ropeway between stations, said tensioning arrangement including a member movable between a first position in which said grips are drawn towards each other and a second position in which said grips are spread apart, and alarm means for operation by said member when the latter is moved sufficiently towards its second position because divergent movement of at least one of said grips indicates that the hold thereof on the rope is too weak, said tensioning arrangement further comprises an elbow lever connecting together said grip mechanisms, and said member is a wheel mounted at the elbow of said lever for movement substantially transverse to the haulage rope, and further including a rail independent of the arrangement and the transport device cooperating with said wheel at the stations of the ropeway to move said wheel towards its first position, said wheel assuming said second position when at least one of said grip mechanisms exerts an insufficient hold on the rope, and said wheel when in said second position being disposed in a position capable of operating any one of a number of alarm means located along the path of travel of the aerial ropeway. 

1. An arrangement for clamping a transport device to the haulage rope of an aerial ropeway movable between a number of stations and for indicating an insufficient hold on the rope, comprising at least two grips that are spaced along the direction of the rope and movable in a direction parallel thereto, and wherein the improvement comprises a tensioning arrangement for drawing said grips towards one another, resilient means tensed by said tensioning arrangement for exerting a force on said grips tending to push them apart, said tensioning arrangement incorporating a member movable between a first position in which said grips are drawn towards each other and a second position in which said grips are spread apart, said tensioning arrangement additionally comprising an elbow lever connecting together said grips, said member being a wheel mounted at the elbow of said lever, further including a rail independent of the arrangement and the transport device that cooperates with said wheel at a station of the ropeway to move said wheel towards its first position, whereby said grips are drawn towards each other and said resilient means is tensed, and an alarm system for operation by said wheel when the latter is moved sufficiently towards its second position because divergent movement of at least one of said grips indicates that the hold thereof on the rope is too weak.
 2. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm system includes a stationary feeler arranged along the path of the transport device and positioned to be moved when said wheel is moved sufficiently towards its second position.
 3. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein said alarm system is mounted on the clamping arrangement and continuously monitors the position of said member.
 4. The arrangement as defined in claim 1, wherein each said grip includes a stationary jaw and a movable jaw for clamping the rope, a pivotal rod provided for each said grip, an individual arm connecting each said movable jaw to a respective pivotal rod to form an elbow lever with said rod, and a respective roller for operating each said grip mounted on said arm or on said pivotal arm.
 5. The arrangement as defined in claim 4, including at each station of the aerial ropeway a rail over which said grip-operating rollers run and support the transport device.
 6. An apparatus for clamping a transport device to the haulage rope of an aerial ropeway movable along a predetermined path of travel between a number of stations and for indicating an insufficient hold on the rope, comprising at least two grip mechanisms spaced along the direction of the rope and movable in a direction parallel thereto, a tensioning arrangement for drawing said grip mechanisms towards on another, resilient means tensed by said tensioning arrangement for continuously exerting a checking force on said grip mechanisms tending to push them apart during travel of the aerial ropeway between stations, said tensioning arrangement including a member movable between a first position in which said grips are drawn towards each other and a second position in which said grips are spread apart, and alarm means for operation by said member when the latter is moved sufficiently towards its second position because divergent movement of at least one of said grips indicates that the hold thereof on the rope is too weak, said tensioning arrangement further comprIses an elbow lever connecting together said grip mechanisms, and said member is a wheel mounted at the elbow of said lever for movement substantially transverse to the haulage rope, and further including a rail independent of the arrangement and the transport device cooperating with said wheel at the stations of the ropeway to move said wheel towards its first position, said wheel assuming said second position when at least one of said grip mechanisms exerts an insufficient hold on the rope, and said wheel when in said second position being disposed in a position capable of operating any one of a number of alarm means located along the path of travel of the aerial ropeway. 